US lawmakers seek H-1B visa fee relief for doctors

IANS | March 19, 2026 10:45 AM

Washington, March 19 (IANS) A bipartisan group of US lawmakers has introduced legislation to exempt doctors and healthcare workers from a proposed $100,000 H-1B visa fee, warning that the cost could deepen workforce shortages and restrict access to care across the country.

Not surrender, responsible statecraft: Days after Sonia Gandhi, Tharoor writes, citing Nehru on India's 'silence' on West Asia

IANS | March 19, 2026 10:00 AM

New Delhi, March 19 (IANS) Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has weighed in on the ongoing West Asia crisis, offering a nuanced defence of India’s diplomatic restraint and pushing back against critics who have described the government’s silence on the US-Israeli war on Iran as a moral failure, instead terming New Delhi’s approach as “responsible statecraft”.

US military shifting to AI-led warfare model: Pentagon

IANS | March 19, 2026 9:40 AM

Washington, March 19 (IANS) A US congressional hearing on special operations forces offered a glimpse into the future of warfare -- one driven by artificial intelligence, cyber operations, and autonomous systems -- highlighting lessons closely watched in India as it reshapes its military to address emerging threats.

Trump says US 'unaware' of Israeli strike on South Pars, warns Iran on Qatar

IANS | March 19, 2026 9:32 AM

Washington, March 19 (IANS) US President Donald Trump said that the United States “knew nothing” about Israel’s strike on Iran’s South Pars gas field and warned Tehran of massive retaliation if it “unwisely” targets Qatar again, after Iran struck a portion of Qatar’s LNG facility following the attack.

Global rivalry, AI, and missiles reshape threat landscape

IANS | March 19, 2026 7:45 AM

Washington, March 19 (IANS) China and Russia are emerging as the most persistent strategic rivals to the United States, even as rapid advances in artificial intelligence, cyber capabilities, and missile systems are reshaping the global threat landscape, US intelligence officials told lawmakers.

US Homeland Security debate flags security, diaspora concerns

IANS | March 19, 2026 7:40 AM

Washington, March 19 (IANS) A tense US Senate hearing for Homeland Security Secretary nominee Markwayne Mullin underscored growing concerns over domestic security, law enforcement powers, and rising threats -- issues that carry direct implications for Indian American communities in the United States.